I love it.
The rhythm of the job—the grind, the problem-solving, the responsibility—it feeds something in me I didn’t realize was starving.
I like being useful. I like showing up.
I like being part of something bigger than just the numbers game they played where I used to work for that slimy realtor friend of Dan’s in Florida.
I’ve got the hang of the computer system now.
And even though I still fumble sometimes, every vendor and customer I speak to is kind and patient.
Which stuns me, honestly.
People being nice about mistakes? Unheard of.
Kelly checks in often, always from bed, always warning me not to bea damn martyrwhen it comes to break time.
She’s sharp and organized, and a complete force of nature—something I admire more and more with every phone call.
But I’ve stopped calling her quite as much.
Partly because I think I’m finally getting the hang of things.
And partly, well, partly because I haven’t told her about me and Thatcher. And he hasn’t either.
It’s not that I’m ashamed.
God, no.
It’s just, this thing between us still feels fragile, like something too beautiful to name out loud.
Like a secret I want to keep pressed to my heart a little longer before I let the world touch it.
Thatcher is beyond affectionate.
He holds my hand. Opens doors. Kisses me every chance he gets.
And he doesn’t hide us—not in front of the crew, not in front of Tim, not even in front of Mack, who gives us both a knowing smirk but says nothing.
But we haven’t left the mountain either.
Haven’t done anything besides food shopping.
We haven’t gone to a movie in town, though I know there is one small theater located out on the highway.
Haven’t gone to church on a Sunday—if that’s a thing here.
And no, we haven’t bumped into locals or shared a booth in some cozy little diner where someone might raise a brow.
And no, I don’t need that stuff, but I also don’t know what that means. If it’s significant in some way.
Because I don’t know whatwemean yet. Not in the real world, anyway.
Still, I stop myself from spiraling.
Don’t borrow trouble, I whisper in my mind, like a mantra I’m still trying to believe in.
I take a deep breath and glance around the office.
